2026-09-0514brief

Trump will fly the $400 million Qatari-gifted 747 to Ireland next week, its first trip abroad

The White House won't say which security upgrades are finished.

Trump first flew on the jet July 1, 2026. Mid-trip, after intelligence flagged a possible Iranian missile threat over Turkey, he secretly switched to an older Air Force One. The Qatari plane flew on as a decoy with staff and press aboard. Trump has said maxing out its defenses would take about 60 days, starting in October.

  • The Boeing 747 was a gift from Qatar.
  • Trump's estimate to finish the defensive fit-out: about 60 days, beginning in October.
  • A senior administration official said the White House does not comment on specific upgrades or modifications to Air Force One.